The Ringer NBA Show

We parse James Harden’s comments in response to Giannis Antetokounmpo passing him over during the All-Star draft (16:28), before breaking down which middle-seeded Western Conference playoff teams should be the most feared (22:47). Finally, we take a look at the lowly Chicago Bulls, who are getting good minutes from Coby White, and try to determine which of their young players most deserve to stay for the long haul (44:34).Host: Chris VernonGuest: Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks walked away with a win over Toronto, but who deserves the credit? Zion Williamson faced off against LeBron James in their first matchup and gave us a glimpse into what we can anticipate for the rest of the season from this young Pelicans team. Plus, Ben Simmons's back injury and the tentative timeline for his return to the court.Hosts: Justin Verrier and Chris Ryan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We recap some news from around the league, including Vanessa Bryant’s moving tribute to Kobe Bryant, Bradley Beal’s big scoring night, and Ben Simmons’s back injury (2:15). Then, we preview what it will mean when Zion Williamson plays in Los Angeles against LeBron James for the first time in his career (46:39). Finally, we finish by talking about some draft prospects that might fly under the radar (58:03). Host: Chris VernonGuest: Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Instant Replay: Dwyane Wade's jersey is retired, Mark Cuban has a very expensive meltdown, and we analyze the buyout market (03:08)The Main Event: The gang takes a look at Dan's ranking of the NBA’s five most interesting teams of the stretch run, including the Rockets, Pelicans, and podcast favorite Grizzlies (21:31).Good Call/Bad Call: Zion debuting some new shoes, spending time at a Milwaukee casino, and deciding to go in on a $100 mystery box (40:39).Host: John GonzalezGuests: Haley O'Shaughnessy, Dan Devine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We go over some highlights of the first night the NBA returned to action, including Trae Young's and Joel Embiid’s big games against the Miami Heat and Brooklyn Nets, respectively (1:27). Then we try to make sense of the Western Conference playoff race and predict who will grab the eighth seed out of Memphis, Portland, and New Orleans (25:39).Host: Chris VernonGuest: Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With a new head coach and a less-than-impressive season, what does the future look like for the Cleveland Cavaliers (3:30)? Plus, major story lines for the rest of the regular season: the impact of buyouts for the league (16:30), what Kyrie Irving’s injury means for the Nets (28:55), and Giannis’s MVP reputation (39:28).Host: Justin VerrierGuest: Rob Mahoney Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We run down a list of items, including rumors that John Beilein might be on his way out in Cleveland and news that the G League is unionizing (1:23). Then, with the All-Star Game in the rearview, we ask four questions about the landscape of the league, including: Who should the Bucks and Lakers fear most in their respective conferences (27:12)?Hosts: Chris Vernon and Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Instant Replay: John Beilein is reportedly not long for the Cavaliers, and we recap the All-Star events from Friday and find out who is the league's best one-on-one player (03:50).The Main Event: The skills competition results, the 3-point contest shockers, and Team LeBron taking the All-Star Game by a single free throw (17:58).Good Call/Bad Call: Honoring Vince Carter, controversial billboards for the Kings, and Bam Adebayo's strange training drill (38:44).Host: John GonzalezGuests: Haley O'Shaughnessy, Dan Devine, Micah Peters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Despite concerns surrounding Joel Embiid’s incendiary comments earlier this week, the Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Los Angeles Clippers; could this be the year the Embiid–Ben Simmons experiment succeeds (1:24)? Plus: The New York Knicks keep making headlines for all the wrong reasons, as their new brand consultant, Steve Stoute, publicly comments on the future of interim head coach Mike Miller (32:00), and rookie star Zion Williamson continues to amaze (41:35).Hosts: Justin Verrier and Chris Ryan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We talk about how Toronto’s unbelievable win streak has kept teams like Boston, Miami, and Philly in their rearview mirror in the East (3:32), before breaking down the drama with the Sixers, Joel Embiid, and Jimmy Butler (29:56). Finally, we finish by touching on the Western Conference standings ahead of All-Star Weekend (35:32).Hosts: Chris Vernon and Jonathan Tjarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices